Verizon Workers Strike; Noontime DC Rally Today

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)More than 45,000 workers – members of CWA and IBEW -- struck Verizon Communications on Sunday. A major local rally is set for noon today at Verizon’s Chesapeake Complex in Silver Spring, MD (13100 Columbia Pike). “Verizon forced us into this strike,” CWA 2108 President Les Evans said. “They’re making billions but are trying to roll back half a century of advances. This is about busting the union.” When the contract expired at midnight Saturday, nearly 100 concessionary company proposals remained on the table. Evans said that Verizon’s workers “are fired up, they know what’s at stake here.” Picket lines are going up across the region; stay tuned on the Council website for details. “We will not stand idly by while Verizon attacks our brothers and sisters,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “See you on the line!”